THE issues surrounding the building of a 20 metre high train signalling mast in Cheadle Hulme have been raised with a government minister.

The mast, which was erected last month as part of a railway modernisation programme, is opposed by furious residents who see it as a permanent blot on the landscape.

In a letter, Cheadle MP Patsy Calton, has now raised the issues involved with the Transport Minister John Spellar.

Mrs Calton asked the government minister if there was any truth in the allegation that as part of a joint venture with Railtrack, Telecom Services, Ultramast, and Marconi have a contract which requires them to "supply sites to Ultramast in exchange for a percentage of rental fees earned from telecom companies at these sites".

Mrs Calton told Mr Spellar that there was a lot of concern at the Carr Wood Park site, which proved an eyesore to the residents of Ravenoak Road, Ravenswood Drive and Hylton Drive.

"The 'public consultation' was little more than misleading information," said Mrs Calton. "Those few who received a letter dated December 15, were told that the mast was in the Carr Wood Park area, to the east of Ravenoak Bridge. Only on further investigation were residents given precise details of its location and a map."

According to Mrs Calton, the local authority was not informed of the siting of the mast.

"It would have been difficult to find a location for the mast that would annoy more people," she told Mr Spellar.

She counted over one hundred households with a direct view of the mast.

Mrs Calton also raised concerns with the minister over the criss-cross pattern of the mast and queried the legislation being used to provide the power assumed by Network Rail under permitted development rights.